UK Design Consultation Opens

The UK government, in cooperation with the UKIPO, has launched a consultation on reform of UK design protection.  All interested parties are asked to contribute their views by 27 November 2025.

The consultion is wide-ranging covering a number of areas for potential reform, including

(i) fighting design theft, including reviewing the search and examination process,

(ii) streamlining processes,

(iii) strengthening enforcement,

(iv) resolving post-brexit complexities, and

(v) modernising the application process and registration requirements to meet the realities of the digital age.

Contributions are sought from anyone with an interest in this topic, including creators, manufacturers, business leaders and the legal profession.  Have you been affected by someone registering your design in bad faith?  The Office wants to hear about the problems designers have faced to allow them to assess the present situation and focus the changes to help strengthen the rights available to designers.

Details of how to conrtibute can be found here: https://ipoconsultations.citizenspace.com/ipo/uk-designs-consultation/